Alton Towers’ Oblivion roller coaster passengers rescued after the 180ft high ride gets stuck half way up the tracks

ALTON Towers were rescued from the Oblivion ride this afternoon after it stopped at its highest point due to a “minor technical fault”.

The 180ft high ride in the Staffordshire theme park halted halfway around the tracks with people forced to clamber down steep steps.

Thrill seekers saw the ride come to an abrupt stop before staff came to help people out of their seats and down to safety.

Witness Jack Hughes, 18, told MailOnline: “The carriage is completely stuck at the top and it isn’t going.

“About six staff all went up with harnesses and started taking the riders off.

“People were gathering around and looking up at the ride. There were a few staff from the nearby shops that were looking up at it as well.”

Alex Heasmann tweeted a video where people could be seen gingerly climbing from the ride and down the side of the tracks.

He wrote: “Oblivion rollercoaster at Alton Towers breaks down mid-ride.

“Emergency recovery crew having to free people from the ride.”

Another witness said the ride was moving towards the top before stopping at an angle and remaining there.

Staff wearing helmets and using ropes went up to the high point of the ride to release the passengers from their seats.

An Alton Towers spokesperson said: “This afternoon Oblivion stopped after a sensor on the ride detected a minor technical fault.

“The ride performed exactly as it is designed to do.

“In line with our well-rehearsed procedures,  guests were assisted from the ride. At no point was guest safety compromised.”

In 2015 two teenagers lost a leg and 14 others were injured on the theme park’s Smiler rollercoaster.

It was put down to human error and Alton Towers owner Merlin Attractions was fined £5million for health and safety breaches.

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